Taxi-driving robbers stick up cabbies

WASHINGTON – Two cab drivers have been robbed by men in other taxis in the past week and Fairfax County police are investigating whether the incidents are connected.

Early Monday morning, a taxi driver had parked his vehicle in the 6300 block of Wingate Street and was opening his trunk when a man approached him about 3:45 a.m. The man was armed and demanded the driver’s belongings, police said.

The robber grabbed the items and fled. He was described as the driver of a light blue cab with a silver stripe painted on both sides. He was about 5-foot-10 and weighed about 175 pounds, police said.

Early Friday morning, another taxi driver reported that he was robbed by two men, who were in another taxi. The victim told police he was parked in the 5500 block of Cherokee Avenue about 2 a.m. when he noticed a green Ford Crown Victoria driving slowly near him, police said.

Both the Ford’s driver and passenger got out of the car and were armed with pistols. They demanded the victim’s belongings and then fled in the car.

The victim told police the Crown Victoria appeared to be a taxi. The robbers appeared to be in their 20s and wore black clothing. One was about 6-foot-2 and the other was about 5-foot-10 and weighed about 180 pounds, police said.

Police spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell says officers are investigating any links between the two incidents. Police don’t know whether the robbers are professional cab drivers or if they stole the taxis.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or text “TIP187″ plus your message to CRIMES (274637) or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.